Walleye fishing is hot now out of North East at various depths. Some smaller boats are trolling the first 58-foot depth line and catching limits. Fishing also is good in depths of 90 feet and from 125 feet to 130 feet. In the deeper water, walleye are down 50 feet to 65 feet. Out of Shades Beach, fish down 50 feet over a 75-foot bottom. Off the point of Presque Isle, get into depths of 70 feet to 75 feet, or to the east in 100 feet. Use nightcrawler harnesses or Reef Runners starting at the eastern end of the First Trench, walleye are hitting over a 65-foot bottom, with lures running at 35 feet to 55 feet. Boats have been trolling 65 feet to 74 feet northwest out of Conneaut, Ohio, using Dipsy Divers, Jet Divers and lead-core line.

Perch fishing is slow out of North East. The best here is a depth of about 54 feet off Twentymile Creek. Perch fishing has been better off Shades Beach in 57 feet to 58 feet of water. Try 52 feet off the Hammermill stacks and over to the Condos. Out from Walnut Creek and westward, perch have been caught anywhere from 50 feet to 60 feet. Concentrate at about 54 feet. Perch fishing has been good at 56 feet to 62 feet northwest out of Conneaut, Ohio.

In Lake Erie, steelhead fishing has been good out of North East in 90 feet of water. Brown trout are also being caught there. Steelhead are mixed with walleye in the First Trench. To concentrate on steelhead use brightly colored spoons. Steelhead have been in the lower parts of the creeks, notably Crooked Creek, Elk Creek and Walnut Creek. However, Poor Richard's cautions that there are not enough steelhead in the creeks yet for out of area anglers to make the trip.

Presque Isle Bay fishing is in the midsummer doldrums, however, this is not as bad as it is in most inland lakes. Crappie are being caught from the South Pier early mornings. At the North Pier, anglers have been catching crappie, bluegill, perch and smallmouth bass. Bass and perch have been caught from the East Pier and the West Pier.

Fishing at night at Lake Pleasant has been rewarding anglers with perch and trout.

Channel catfish have been providing the best fishing at Pymatuning Lake. Some crappie can be caught by fishing right over cribs, notably by the causeway. Walleye fishing has been slow.

Fish down 15 feet to 25 feet by drop-offs for walleye at Chautauqua Lake. June Bug colored plastic worms have been working well for largemouth bass under docks. Get into deeper water by rocky drop-offs for smallmouth bass. Trollers using smaller, bright colored lures did best on muskie this past week. Fishing for white perch is very good using worms on bottom.

-- Mike Bleech, contributing writer

CONTRIBUTORS:

- B.A.C. Bait and Tackle, 317 Peninsula Drive; 838-2850

- Elk Creek Sports Store, 10543 Old Lake Road, Lake City; 774-8755

- Poor Richard's Bait & Tackle, 6821 West Lake Road; 474-5623

- East End Angler, 4702 East Lake Road; 898-3474

- Presque Isle Outfitters, 3737 W. 12th St.; 833-4040

- O Danny O, East Canal Basin; 450-3571

- Trout Run Bait & Tackle, 7490 West Lake Road, Fairview; 474-3902

- North East Marine Services, 11950 East Lake Road, North East; (814) 725-8244